Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	Oxnard Police Department Memorial Ceremony
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, May 15, 2013 / 10:30-11:00am
LOCATION:	251 South “C” Street, Oxnard CA
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805)385-7631 or [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marc Amon, (805) 385-8300, [email protected]

DETAILS:

Oxnard Police to mark National Law Enforcement Memorial Week

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, The City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Police Department welcome you to the 14^th annual Police Memorial Ceremony starting promptly at 10:30 a.m. The 30-minute ceremony will occur in front of the Public Safety Building, at Third and C Streets, Downtown Oxnard.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week, which honors those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

In Oxnard, the City and Police Department pay tribute to honor our own fallen—our seven Oxnard Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since our city’s founding. The ceremony will include a 21-gun salute, the rider-less horse, and a final song by the Oxnard High School Choir.

Our fallen Officers are:

Deputy Constable Andrew M. McNaughton
Constable William E. Kelley
Officer Albert Gasperetti
Officer Frederick J. Clark
Senior Officer John Adair
Officer James E. O’Brien
Officer James R. Jensen, Jr.

For further information, contact Sergeant Marc Amon, at (805) 385-8300, or [email protected].

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault, PRO Arrest
DATE/TIME:	6-4-13 / 1600 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura County Probation Agency Office, 1400 Vanguard Way
VICTIM(S):	Five probation officers, names withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Nicomedes Jose Watts, 26 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander (805) 207-7078, [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 6-4-13, post-release offender or PRO, Nicomedes Jose Watts, 26 years, Oxnard resident, went to the Ventura County Probation Agency Office at 1400 Vanguard Way to meet with a probation officer. The PRO Program releases non-violent and non-serious offenders from prison pursuant to Assembly Bill 109.

Watts was recently involved in a domestic violence-related incident where he was named as a suspect re: a vandalism. Probation officers were going to arrest Watts on a ten-day violation of probation charge 3454(c) PC, or flash violation. This charge and arrest tends to stop the PRO from committing other offenses and promotes adherence to post-release terms.

Five probation officers were waiting for Watts as he entered the office. Watts saw the probation officers and immediately bolted away running into one of the officers. A struggle ensued with the other four probation officers joining in an effort to arrest Watts. Watts was arrested.

All five probation officers sustained injuries and were treated at a local hospital. Two of the probation officers sustained moderate injury. Watts sustained very minor injury.

Oxnard police officers took custody of Watts booking him into the Ventura County Main Jail on charged of Vandalism (594 PC), Probation Revocation (3455(a) PC), and Obstructing or Resisting Executive Officers (69 PC). 69 PC is a felony. 3455(a) PC can result in up to 180 days in the VenturaCounty Jail.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 6-5-13 / 2200 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Auto Burglary Arrest Possession of a Replica Firearm
DATE/TIME:	June 15, 2013 / 0355 hours
LOCATION:	300 Block of North Rose Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Male Ventura Resident (Name Withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	17 year old Oxnard Resident



PREPARED BY:	Officer Brandon Ordelheide
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Brandon Ordelheide (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On June 15, 2013, at approximately 0355 hours, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a radio call of a subject looking into parked vehicles with a flashlight.

Officers arrived on scene and observed the suspect tampering with the passenger side window on a parked vehicle. Officers contacted the subject and found that the suspect was concealing a replica firearm in his front waistband. The suspect was wearing gloves and carrying a utility tool.

During the course of the investigation, Officers learned that the suspect forced entry into a parked vehicle and removed property. The suspect left the area after the vehicle alarm began sounding. The suspect was contacted while attempting to gain entry to a second vehicle.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 15, 2013 / 0530 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Assault Victim

DATE/TIME:

6/23/13 at approximately 0200 hours

LOCATION:

400 block West Hueneme Road, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Hispanic male, late 20’s, Oxnard resident

SUSPECT(S):

Three unknown Hispanic males

PREPARED BY:

Alex Arnett, Sergeant

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Senior Officer Steve Funk, (805) 385-7796
[email protected]

DETAILS:
On 6/23/13 at approximately 0200 hours, officers were dispatched to an assault victim in the 400 block of West Hueneme Road. EMS responded and transported the victim to the Ventura County Medical Center. The victim is listed in critical condition.

According to witnesses, the victim was attacked and battered by three unknown Hispanic males. The reason for the attack is unknown at this time and investigators are in the progress of investigating the incident.

If anyone witnessed this incident or has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Steve Funk at (805) 385-7796. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspxto submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 6/23/13 0649 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Independence Day Weekend Avoid DUI Campaign-Satuday Update 3
DATE:	July 6, 2013
LOCATION:	Ventura County
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

DETAILS:

Avoid the 14 – Ventura County DUI Campaign

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release July 6, 2013

CONTACT: Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND AVOID DUI CAMPAIGN-SATURDAY UPDATE 3

DUI Arrests Up & No DUI Fatalities
The Independence Day Weekend Anti DUI crackdown is reporting DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County.

From 12:01 AM Wednesday July 3, 2013 through Midnight Friday July 5, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 39 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Last year, the holiday was a two-day campaign period which does not match the 5 day effort this year. Last year there were no DUI deaths reported.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

DUI arrest data collection will continue through midnight Sunday July 7, 2013. Law enforcement officials are continuing DUI efforts throughout the county and region. Additionally, CHP throughout the state have all available officers patrolling freeways and county roads throughout the weekend for their Maximum Enforcement period (MEP).

For Saturday July 6^th, extra DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed in the cities of Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks. A DUI Checkpoint is deploying in the City of Moorpark. Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

MEDIA NOTE: Statistical data on the number of DUI arrests and DUI fatal crashes will be released from the previous day’s activities. The checkpoint locations will be available for media opportunities or ride-alongs each night.

Avoid programs, named for the number of police agencies in each county, also will concentrate crackdowns during the 18-Day August/Labor Day period. In recognition that summer season is among the deadliest time of the year, law enforcement agencies throughout the county will be making every effort to arrest drunk drivers before another life is lost.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery
DATE/TIME:	8/27/13 at 1955 hours
LOCATION:	3800 Block of Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	El Matador Meat Market
SUSPECT(S):	Tall, thin male, gray sweater with a blue bandana covering his face


LOSS:	Undisclosed amount
PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Department 805-385-7600

DETAILS:
On 8/27/13 at approximately 1955 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the El Matador Meat Market in the 3800 Block of Saviers Road reference a robbery. Officers learned that the suspect entered the business and demanded money. The employees believed the suspect may have had a handgun. The suspect took money from the register and fled the scene.

The suspect was described as a tall, thin male, unknown age, wearing a gray sweater. The suspect’s face was concealed with a blue bandana.

No one was injured during the incident and the suspect is still outstanding.

Persons with additional information are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7600. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

You may also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/27/13; 2250 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Injury Collision
DATE/TIME:	8-31-13 / 1518 hours
LOCATION:	Rose Avenue at Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):	Troy Lantaya, 26 years, Oxnard Richard Lappine, 66 years, Oxnard Caleb Lundy, 26 years, Port Hueneme
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):	Eric Rivas, 20 years, Miramar, California
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander, (805) 207-7078 [email protected]

DETAILS: On 8-31-13, at 1518 hours, officers responded to Rose Avenue at Pleasant Valley Road re: an injury collision. Officers found that three vehicles were involved.

The preliminary investigation suggests that a vehicle driven by Troy Lantaya, 26 years, Oxnard, was westbound on Pleasant Valley Road at Rose Avenue and entered the intersection on a red traffic light. Another vehicle, driven by Richard Lappine, 66 years, Oxnard, was southbound on Rose Avenue and had entered the intersection as the traffic signal it was facing cycled to green. The two vehicles collided. The vehicle driven by Lantaya was forced across the median into eastbound Pleasant Valley Road traffic where it struck a vehicle driven by Caleb Lundy, 26 years, Port Hueneme. Lundy’s vehicle had been eastbound on Pleasant Valley Road preparing to turn northbound on Rose Avenue.

Lantaya’s vehicle caught fire beginning in the engine compartment. Lundy and a witness, Eric Rivas, USMC (off-duty), 20 years, Miramar, California, rushed to the vehicle and removed Lantaya from danger. Once on scene, Oxnard Fire Department personnel extinguished the fire.

Lantaya was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated for moderate injuries.

Officers are investigating to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved. The investigation is continuing.

Caleb Lundy and Eric Rivas are to be commended for their actions.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:
DATE/TIME:
LOCATION:
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, [email protected] Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

DETAILS:
Summer/Labor DAY AVOID DUI campaign – SUnDAY update 12
The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI update of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County are updated.

From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through Midnight Saturday August 31, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 197 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

There were no DUI deaths overnight, but there was a major injury collision the occurred in the City of Oxnard.

On August 31, 2013, at about 10:29 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a collision involving two vehicles near the intersection of Rose Avenue and Cesar Chavez Drive. Upon arrival, officers found that the two vehicles involved were a white Ford Expedition and a silver 2004 BMW 325ci.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Ford Expedition, driven by Joel Tapia, a 25 year-old resident of Oxnard, was traveling northbound on Rose Avenue towards Cesar Chavez Drive. The BMW, driven by Leonardo Medina, a 23 year-old Oxnard resident, was traveling southbound on Rose Avenue towards Cesar Chavez Drive. As the Ford passed the intersection of Cesar Chavez drive, it failed to negotiate a bend in the roadway. The Ford struck the center median and several trees. The impact into a tree caused Driver Tapia to be ejected from the Ford and land in the roadway near the Ford. Debris from the Ford struck the BMW causing moderate damage. Witnesses stated that the Ford was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the collision. Driver Medina was uninjured during the collision. Driver Tapia sustained serious injuries as result of the collision and was transported to a local hospital where he listed in critical condition. Alcohol is suspected to be involved in this collision.

For the final hours of the Labor Day Holiday weekend, extra DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed in the cities of Ventura, Simi Valley, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Oxnard. All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts. The CHP is deploying all available officers onto freeways and county roads during their Maximum Enforcement Period until midnight Monday. Multiple/DUI Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are set region wide during 18 day Summer/Labor Day Campaign.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DUI arrest data collection will continue through Labor Day midnight Monday, September 2, 2013.

MEDIA NOTE: The checkpoint locations and saturation patrols will be made available for media opportunities or ride-a-longs each night.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Person
DATE/TIME:	10-26-2013 / 0645 hours
LOCATION:	Shell gas station, 1901 North Rose Avenue
MISSING PERSON:	Farhoud Asgarifateh, 23 years, Encino resident
PREPARED BY:	Officer Jonathan Martin
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Jonathan Martin, (805) 385-7600, [email protected]

DETAILS:

A family member of Farhoud Asgarifateh, 23 years, arrived at the Oxnard Police Station to report him missing. Asgarifateh was last seen by family members on the night of October 24, 2013. Asgarifateh was later seen at the Shell gas station at the intersection of North Rose Avenue and Gonzales Road early in the morning on October 26, 2013. Family members indicated that Asgarifateh suffers from Schizophrenia and Asperger syndrome.

Officers are searching for Asgarifateh and are asking for the public’s help in locating him.

Asgarifateh was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and blue jean pants, carrying a gray backpack. Asgarifateh has a full beard.

Persons with information regarding Asgarifateh’s whereabouts should call the Oxnard Public Safety Communications Center at (805) 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10-26-2013 / 1000 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery (with a baseball bat)
DATE/TIME:	11/16/13 at 0356 hours
LOCATION:	2201 E. Channel Islands Blvd.
VICTIM(S):	7-11 Convenience Store
SUSPECT(S):	Male, mid-twenties
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:	Undisclosed amount of currency
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Daniel Shrubb
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Steven Funk, Senior Officer (805) 385-779 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On 11-16-13, at 0356 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 7-11 located at 2201 E. Channel Islands Boulevard reference a robbery that had just occurred. The suspect concealed his face with a red bandana, brandished a purple or blue baseball bat, and demanded money from the cashier. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of currency and fled on foot through the parking lot toward the 2700 block of El Dorado Avenue. This incident marks the 3^rd occurrence of this type within the last four (4) days.

The suspect is described as a male, possibly mid-twenties, 5’-7”, medium build, wearing a dark colored baseball hat, black jacket, and tan pants.

If anyone has information about this incident(s), they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.